Critical vote on Knesset dissolution looms amid coalition crisis

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition faces a crisis over military service exemptions, the opposition has moved to dissolve the Israeli Knesset. Party leaders announced they will bring a bill to dissolve the parliament to a vote today, aiming to pave the way for early elections.

In a joint statement released after a meeting in the Knesset, opposition parties declared their intention to introduce the dissolution bill during today’s session. “The decision was made unanimously and is binding on all opposition factions. It was also decided, in coordination with all opposition groups, to withdraw other legislative proposals from the agenda and focus all our efforts on overthrowing the government,” the statement read.

Government expected to stall

In response to the opposition’s move, the government is expected to try and delay the vote by filling the agenda with its own legislative proposals, effectively slowing down the process. For the bill to become law, it must pass a preliminary vote today, followed by three more rounds of voting in the plenary session.

The right-wing coalition, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, holds 68 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. The support of the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, is crucial for the opposition’s dissolution proposal to advance.

Both parties have publicly stated they will vote “yes” on the dissolution bill because the government failed to pass legislation that would grant military service exemptions to yeshiva students. However, behind the scenes, it is reported that the Shas party, in particular, is working intensively to postpone the vote and prevent the government’s collapse.

Netanyahu leaves corruption trial early

Amid these developments, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cross-examination in his ongoing corruption trial in Tel Aviv ended unexpectedly early. It was announced that Netanyahu left the hearing about an hour after his testimony began, stating that he was not feeling well.

Netanyahu is expected to engage in intensive diplomatic efforts throughout the day to de-escalate the crises. The potential loss of support from the ultra-Orthodox parties stands out as the most significant threat that could lead to early elections.

Possibility of early elections

If the dissolution bill passes today’s preliminary vote, it must still go through three more votes in the Knesset to become law. However, if the ultra-Orthodox parties do not withdraw their support from the government, the opposition’s push for an early election may fail for now. All eyes are on the stance of Shas and United Torah Judaism in the vote, as well as the political moves Netanyahu will make during the day.